Helpsheet: Supporting staff to deliver strategy

CEOs are regularly presented with new ideas, opportunities, projects and partnership proposals. Many are worthwhile. The challenge is not whether an idea is good, but whether it helps deliver the organisation’s strategy and whether the organisation has the capacity to pursue it.

Without a simple way to test ideas, organisations can drift into activity that is interesting but not strategic. Staff may also feel responsible for pursuing ideas that do not clearly sit within their role or priorities.

One of the CEO’s key responsibilities is to help staff focus effort where it matters most. This involves:

• connecting ideas and projects to the strategic plan
• ensuring the right person owns the work
• understanding resource and timing implications
• being aware of what else is already happening internally and externally

A simple prioritisation tool can help CEOs guide these conversations. It encourages staff to think through the strategic value of an idea before time and energy are invested in it.

The tool can be used when:

• a staff member proposes a new project or initiative
• a partnership or collaboration opportunity emerges
• the organisation is deciding between several possible projects
• the CEO wants to ensure work is aligned with strategic priorities

It works equally well in small organisations, where the CEO may personally oversee many projects, and in larger organisations, where ownership needs to be clearly delegated.

The goal is not to shut down ideas. It is to ensure that ideas are pursued deliberately, by the right people, and in ways that strengthen delivery of the strategy.